Central Asian Countries Research Articles

Conditions and Prospects of the Civilizations Dialogue in the Modern World: Symbiosis of Cultures (based on the History of the Central Asian Countries and their Interaction with Russia)

The article is devoted to the possibilities of dialogue of civilizations in a global, trans-border cultural space. The concept of civilization as a network of broad communications is new and promising, which removes the attachment of civilizational communities to a territory or state and turns civilizations into open, inclusive, cultural and communication entities. In the context of the extensive and unique historical experience of intercivilizational ties and relations, the Central Asian region can be classified as one of the most successful and longest-lasting “civilizations of encounters.” The communicative significance of this experience as a long and successful symbiosis of different cultures and religions and the role of dialogue with Russia in this heritage, in its preservation and revival are considered. Dialogue with Russia is a network of historical and modern relations and interactions between our countries. The article was prepared on the basis of a report made by the author at the Dushanbe session “Civilizational dialogue between Russia and the countries of Central Asia” of the VIII international conference “Russia and the world: dialogues - 2024. Forces of attraction.”

Intercivilizational Dialogue in Central Asia: Views of Russian and Tajik Scientists

The article provides an analysis of the features of the dialogue of civilizations in Central Asia. The region is considered as an intercivilizational hub where Persian, Hellenistic, Babylonian, Chinese, Indian, Mongolian, Arab, and Turkic civilizations interacted and competed. As a result, a special type of culture arose that influences peoples, their national psychology, religion, and linguistic characteristics. Historically, the region was a contact zone of settled agricultural and nomadic civilizations. The impetus for the development of the region was given by its transit potential, in particular the Great Silk Road. The authors believe that at the present stage, dialogue is possible based on an understanding of the historical community of different peoples living in the region, and one’s own civilizational identity, which is based on traditional values. The political culture of the Central Asian countries has developed its own democratic principles, which are not always identical to Western ones. At the present stage, new dialogue platforms are emerging where active intercivilizational dialogue is conducted. Along with the dialogue are Afghanistan, Iran, China, Pakistan.

Central Asia: the Problem of Water Use in the Situation of the Construction of the Afghan Kush-Tepa Canal

The scarcity of water resources, the lack of equitable access of people to clean water and sanitation services, the insufficiency of technical and financial measures to create advanced systems for the use and conservation of water resources are global problems, but they cause the greatest damage to the states of the Global South, including Central Asia. Problems associated with water shortages in this region will worsen if the Kush-Tepa canal, which is being built in Afghanistan, is uncontrolled.The states of the region are committed to negotiations with the Taliban government in order to agree on cooperation in the field of water use, they are ready to help in the construction of the canal, associated irrigation systems and help in their technical equipment.The Afghan side, accepting verbally the initiatives of its Central Asian partners, insists on its right to use the canal at its own discretion and to the extent that meets its interests. At the same time, the Taliban authorities, not yet recognized by the international community, are trying not to aggravate relations with their neighbors with whom they carry out trade and economic cooperation. The Central Asian countries are making it clear that interaction with the Afghans can further develop if the parties take into account mutual interests. External actors behave differently. Russia offers its services in solving problems related to the operation of the Kush-Tepa Canal. The Americans are providing financial assistance to speed up the construction of the canal.

National Legislations on Air Quality Protection and Penalties for Atmospheric Air Pollution in Central Asia

Air pollution poses severe risks to public health and the environment, with acts contributing to air contamination potentially constituting environmental crimes or public health offenses. This research examines the national legislations and international legal frameworks aimed at safeguarding atmospheric air quality and addressing air pollution-related offenses in Central Asian countries. Particular attention is given to legal provisions that establish emission standards, monitoring mechanisms, and punitive measures for violations. By exploring the genesis and implementation of these legal instruments, the research identifies potential gaps, inconsistencies, or weaknesses that may hinder the effective prosecution of environmental crimes associated with air pollution in the Central Asian region. This study contributes to the broader understanding of environmental criminology by examining the interplay between international norms, national legislations, and institutional structures in combating air pollution-related offenses.

THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE EUROPEAN UNION'S (EU) SPECIAL STRATEGY FOR CENTRAL ASIA (2007–2013)

The article examines the European Union's approach to Central Asia from 2007 to 2013, highlighting key objectives and initiatives designed to strengthen cooperation between the EU and nations in the region. This strategy encompasses a diverse range of issues, including economic growth, governance, energy security, educational development, and regional collaboration. The overarching goals of the strategy include: Economic Development: The strategy emphasizes the importance of economic partnerships, trade, and investment in promoting growth and integration of the region into the global economy. Governance and Anti-Corruption: The European Union supports governance and anti-corruption reforms that are essential for sustainable development. Energy Security: Given the significant energy resources in Central Asia, measures have been taken to diversify energy sources and increase the EU's energy independence. Education: Educational programs and initiatives aim to improve skills of the population and develop human capital in the region. Regional Cooperation: The EU actively promotes regional cooperation among Central Asian countries to contribute to peace and stability in the region. The article emphasizes the flexibility and adaptability of the EU's approach to the challenges and changing circumstances in the region. This demonstrates the European Union's commitment to playing a proactive role in promoting positive development in Central Asia and creating the conditions for long-term collaboration and shared prosperity.

Towards a cleaner and sustainable Europe and Central Asia: An investigation of the logistics‐environment nexus

AbstractThe logistics industry is the backbone of global trade and is crucial for the attainment of economic progress across the world. However, the industry involves activities that increase the consumption of energy resources including fossil fuels, which harms the environment. Thus, with a special focus on Europe and Central Asia, this study explores the logistics‐environment by evaluating the impact of logistics performance (LP) on environmental performance (EP) while controlling for key macroeconomic indicators such as income, trade openness, foreign direct investment, and industrialization. The motivation for this study is derived from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs‐11 and 13) which highlight sustainability and climate change mitigation. Using Poisson pseudo maximum likelihood with high‐dimensional fixed effects (PPMLHDFE) for 47 European and Central Asian countries over the period 2007–2018, the findings revealed that the overall logistic performance, and some of its components—customs, trade, and transport infrastructure, and tracing and tracking have a significant positive impact on the overall EP, environmental health, and ecosystem vitality. Additionally, the study confirms the detrimental effects of economic growth, trade, and industrialization on environmental quality and health from logistics and supply chain management (SCM) perspectives. Further policy caveats and suggestions are elucidated in the concluding section.

Key forecasts and prospects for green transition in the region of Central Asia beyond 2022

BackgroundThe transition to energy-sustainable systems is a globally accepted concept, but it is implemented with various degrees of success around the world. The aim of this paper is to determine the status of green transition in five Central Asian countries (Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and the Kyrgyz Republic) that are among the highest energy consumers globally and the most vulnerable to climate change. Despite a notable improvement in living conditions across all countries over the past two decades, the region remains underdeveloped. Economic growth is based on the export of natural resources and remittance inflows, but the structure of the economy is monolithic.Main findingsUpon analysing transition indicators for the period 2000–2020, no evidence of significant changes towards a sustainable energy transition is found. All countries in the region (except Uzbekistan) have recorded an increase in carbon emissions, while the carbon intensity of the energy mix is almost the same. While there has been visible progress in reducing energy intensity, the countries in the region remain among the most energy-intensive economies. Despite the region’s substantial potential for renewable energy production, it remains underutilized.ConclusionsA multitude of varied problems accompanies the green transition in Central Asian countries. The energy market that has not yet been liberalised, along with significant subsidies and low energy tariffs, discourages investments in renewable energy sources and energy efficiency initiatives. A high level of corruption, rigid legislative and institutional infrastructure, and insufficient capital are additional factors that determine the speed, scope, and effectiveness of the green transition. Thus far, the primary focus in these countries has been on ensuring energy security. However, there has been a discernible surge in investments (particularly from China) in renewable energy projects. Although energy efficiency and climate change issues are formally defined, the energy transition goals are often declarative without an action plan that provides concrete steps in transition process. Strategic planing of economic development that includes all related sectors (not only the energy sector) and paying attention to socio-economic and environmental indicators of sustainable development are prerequisites for successfully implementating the energy transition in these countries.

A Rapid Investigation of Artificial Intelligence Generated Content Footprints in Scholarly Publications

This study reports on a novel phenomenon observed in scholarly publications. Some research articles unrelated to the field of artificial intelligence (AI)–generated content (AIGC) contain phrases such as ‘As an AI language model …’ The authors conceptualize this phenomenon as ‘AIGC footprints.’ To provide early evidence, they conducted a small-scale sample investigation by collecting twenty-five articles. These articles were published by authors from countries in Central Asia, South Asia, and Africa. Among these authors, there were assistant professors, doctoral and master’s students. Single authors and single affiliations were more common. Analysis of the article content revealed that some authors utilized ChatGPT for literature reviews or idea generation. The twenty-five articles with AIGC footprints were published in eighteen different academic journals. The emergence of AIGC footprints reflects the potential challenges faced by scholarly publishing and higher education. The authors also provide several recommendations.

Changes in alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and other substance use and its association with mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic among sexual minority men in Eastern European and Central Asian countries

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic had a particularly negative impact on mental wellbeing of vulnerable individuals, such as sexual minority men (SMM) living in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA), where the social-political climate may be restrictive for SMM. Alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD) use may be another factor contributing to exacerbated mental health among SMM in this region. MethodsSecondary analyses were conducted using data collected as part of the COVID-19 disparities survey from active users of Hornet, a popular geo-social networking app for SMM in late 2020. Using a subset of SMM living in EECA (n = 3209) and pre-validated scales (AUDIT-C and PHQ-4), we used multivariable logistic regression models to examine the relationship between changes in participants' use of ATOD and their mental wellbeing. ResultsBased on AUDIT-C, 35.1 % SMM screened for alcohol use disorder (AUD), 18.6 % reported an increase in alcohol use since the pandemic began. Over 30 % screened for depressive symptoms and anxiety based on PHQ-4 (30.4 % and 30.7 %, respectively). In multivariable models, AUD was significantly associated with screening positive for depressive symptoms and anxiety. Other factors associated with mental distress included lower socioeconomic status, unemployment, ethnic minority identity, IPV victimization, and financial and economic vulnerability. LimitationsCross-sectional data cannot be used to infer causality. ConclusionsOur results support the needs for integrated substance use reduction and mental health services tailored for SMM in EECA. Programs aimed at promoting mental wellbeing among SMM in EECA must consider both interpersonal and structural barriers.

Transformation of the political elite of Kyrgyzstan (1991-2024): Dynamics and analysis

Relevance. This study is relevant as it analyzes the complex transformation of Kyrgyzstan's political elite since independence, examining critical issues like the impact of revolutions, persistence of clan systems, and challenges to democratization. Purpose. The purpose of the study was to analyse the dynamics and transformation of the political elite of Kyrgyzstan since independence to identify the main trends and factors determining its evolution. Methodology. The research uses mixed methods, including legislative analysis, statistical data review, and content analysis of political speeches. Results. The results revealed that the political elite of Kyrgyzstan as a phenomenon still remains a clan-based, elite-patronage system with elements of corruption and requires a rethink of ineffective behavioural practices that have acquired a cyclical character, undermining the effectiveness of a series of revolutions that have occurred. It was highlighted that the increased number of revolutionary events in the country indicates both the strengthening of national identity and the desire to set the country on the path of democratic development, and the difficulties in forming a new political elite due to various factors. A comparative analysis of events in other Central Asian countries demonstrates similar trends in the establishment of political elites and obstacles in the establishment of democracy. Conclusions. The study concludes that the political elite remains largely based on patronage networks despite regime changes. Revolutionary events have not led to sustainable democratic reforms. Gender representation has improved but falls short of goals. Press freedom faces increasing restrictions. The research suggests that achieving stable democratic governance requires addressing clan politics, corruption, and weak institutions. It emphasizes the need for transparent, merit-based systems in political recruitment. The study highlights the ongoing tension between democratic aspirations and authoritarian practices in Kyrgyzstan's political landscape. Keywords: hybridity; cyclicality; solidarity; security; clan elite selection system; elite patronage system

Criteria for Assessing Administrative Discretion: Theoretical Issues, Russian and Foreign Experience

The current stage of development of administrative law requires an active role of public administration in resolving administrative cases. At the same time, its acts and actions must be controlled by the courts. As a result, the administration is not allowed to remain passive in the exercise of discretionary powers, since they are provided for solving managerial tasks and are implemented within the prescribed limits. In this regard, the managerial goal, for which discretion is used, and the limits of authority are presented as basic criteria that allow us to assess the legality of discretionary forms of public administration. Additional criteria must be used to verify them. The most important among them are the so-called principles of administrative procedures, primarily proportionality and protection of trust. The principles that define the procedure can also be used, they can be called technical. For example, these include avoiding excessive bureaucracy, saving money, etc. Basic and additional criteria are typical for many legal systems and are most justified in the theory of administrative procedures. It mainly characterizes the administrative law of the countries of the continental legal family, and relatively stable examples of its implementation are presented in the German and Austrian legal order. Of some interest are the new laws on procedures adopted already in our century in the countries of Central Asia (the Kazakh authorities were the last to do so). The adoption of laws on administrative procedures is a milestone in the development of the theory of administrative discretion, but it is more important that the approach to discretion is not denied by the courts. The practice of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation is a positive step in approving the domestic version of administrative discretion and the theory of administrative procedures, which is developing in a continental way.

Reporting of Progress toward Eliminating Viral Hepatitis B and C in the Central Asian Region

Eliminating viral hepatitis became a global goal and was targeted by countries worldwide. Using WHO, Google Scholar, PubMed, and other databases, the progress of Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) in ending viral hepatitis B and C by 2030 was evaluated and reported. Collected data shows that countries have made significant efforts toward achieving goals in the Global Health Sector Strategy. All countries have national programs focused on hepatitis elimination and have reached the target vaccination coverage against hepatitis B. However, the available information requires regular updates, and public accessibility of data collected by governments should be enhanced. Additionally, countries are recommended to improve harm reduction and treatment services.

Global Neurosurgical Challenges: A Focus on Central Asia

Neurosurgical care in Central Asia is marked by significant variation across the region's five countries—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. This variation is influenced by factors such as limited modern technology, a shortage of neurosurgeons, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure. Despite these obstacles, there have been notable advancements in the field, particularly in Kazakhstan, where the number of neurosurgeons has increased, and specialized fields such as vascular neurosurgery and brain tumor management have seen significant progress. Other countries in the region, such as Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan, have also made strides in improving neurosurgical care. However, these advancements in neurosurgical care are insignificant to those seen globally which make standard neurosurgical care inaccessible to many patients in Central Asian countries due to shortages of neurosurgeons and limited facilities. The dearth of research data in some CA countries further emphasize the need for urgent intervention. Therefore, we recommend a multipronged approach involving targeted investments, policy reforms, international collaborations, and knowledge sharing is recommended to bolster neurosurgical care capabilities and expand access to essential care across Central Asia. This approach include establishing specialized neurosurgical training programs and fellowships, investing in infrastructure and technology for neurosurgical facilities, and fostering collaborations with international centers for training and research. Additionally, early introduction of neurosurgery education in medical schools, enhancing access to online education resources for neurosurgeons, and promoting the use of telemedicine for neurosurgical consultations and follow-up care are recommended

The ethics of research informed consent from the Kyrgyz perspective: A qualitative study.

To ensure informed consent is tailored to ethnic Asian communities, it is necessary to establish an ethical foundation that is relevant to the specific populations. We hypothesized that certain communitarian factors unique to traditional Kyrgyz culture may influence an individual's decision to participate in research. Guided by Seedhouse's (2005) Rational Field Theory, we conducted qualitative, in-depth interviews with cultural experts in Kyrgyzstan to identify the ethical foundations of decision-making for informed consent in Kyrgyz culture. The results indicate that Kyrgyz people have a distinctive decision-making style influenced by their nomadic culture and history, which values and prioritizes family integrity and reputation. These findings indicate that a multidimensional approach based on socio-cultural sensitivities is necessary to assess the appropriateness of consent procedures. We believe our results may have implications for revising the guidelines of local and regional research ethics committees in Kyrgyzstan and other Central Asian countries.

BASIS OF ACTIVATING RELATIONS BETWEEN KAZAKHSTAN AND THE WORLD OF THE EAST

The article considers that Kazakhstan has a special relationship with other countries of Central Asia and the Arab and Islamic worlds. As for the eastern states, they are united by close ties of neighborhood, mutual benefit and common interests in their cultural, political, economic aspects. It also corresponds to the countries of the Arab and Islamic worlds in many elements of identity in its historical, cultural and religious aspects, as well as in other grounds of identity. The political leadership at the top of the ruling regime in Kazakhstan, represented by President Tokayev, is clearly aware of this fact, as they work to develop it and develop its mechanisms, focusing on common interests and restoring a constructive role at the regional and international levels. It should be met positively by the countries of the Eastern world, all of which belong to the same world and suffer from the accumulation of problems and difficulties that hinder their movement towards the realization of the aspirations of their peoples for a decent life by ensuring their vital needs and human rights in them through the prism of human dignity.

On Chinese learning strategies of learners from Central Asian countries: an analysis of gender, age, and learning duration effects.

This research focuses on the Chinese learning strategies employed by learners from Central Asian countries, specifically examining the effects of gender, age, and learning duration. The study aims to identify and analyze the demographic factors that influence the learning approaches of these learners, providing insights for more effective teaching and learning of Chinese as a foreign language. Data are collected through questionnaires and interviews, and statistical analysis is conducted to explore the correlations between gender, age, learning duration, and learning strategies. The learning strategy model adopted in this study provides a comprehensive classification of language learning strategies. The results underscore the significance of incorporating these factors into language education programs, providing valuable insights into the unique needs and challenges encountered by learners from Central Asian countries. The findings indicate that students from Central Asian countries predominantly utilize social strategies, metacognitive strategies, and affective strategies in their Chinese language learning. These are followed by compensatory strategies, cognitive strategies, and memory strategies. While gender does not exert a significant impact on the utilization of Chinese learning strategies, there are discernible variations in memory and affective strategies between males and females. Age does not significantly affect overall learning strategies, but there are notable disparities in compensatory strategies among different age groups. Learning duration has a significant effect on compensation and metacognitive strategies. The correlation between learning duration and overall strategies is significant indicating that learners with different learning durations exhibit notable differences in compensation and metacognitive strategies.

Drivers of success in global health outcomes: A content analysis of Exemplar studies.

Applying a positive outlier lens is one effective approach for generating evidence to inform global health policy, program, and funding decisions. Exemplars in Global Health (EGH) is a program that studies positive outlier countries that have made extraordinary progress in health outcomes (despite limited resources) and disseminates their successes through multiple types of outputs. To date, EGH has studied, or is studying, 14 global health topics in 28 countries. This paper aims to identify findings, summarized as themes and sub-themes, that appear among all completed EGH studies. We developed a conceptual framework and used a content analysis approach to identify the top thematic areas that appear as drivers for programmatic success across EGH studies that were completed between June 2020-May 2023. The EGH studies (N = 31) spanned six topics including under-five child mortality (n = 6), childhood stunting (n = 5), community health workers (CHW) (n = 4), vaccine delivery (n = 3), COVID-19 response (n = 6), and newborn and maternal mortality reduction (n = 7) across 19 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, South and Central Asia, and the Caribbean regions. Top drivers of success were defined as those critical or catalytic in achieving the intended outcome. Eight key drivers were identified: (1) efficient data collection and use for decision-making, (2) strong political commitment and health leadership, (3) effective stakeholder coordination, (4) a local, connected, and capacitated workforce, (5) intentional women's empowerment and engagement, (6) effective adoption and implementation of national policies, (7) effective and sustainable financing, and (8) equitable, efficient outreach and targeting. These cross-cutting drivers span a broad range of development outcomes, sectors, and populations, and indicate a need to effectively integrate people, systems, and sectors to improve global health outcomes. Findings from this study aim to support peer learning among countries and support evidence-based decision-making for funders, policymakers, and other key stakeholders.

Exploring the Impact of Women Governance on CO2 Emissions in the European Union and Central Asia

The study is novel to contribute to the literature investigating the relationship among CO2 emissions, women governance, economic development, fossil fuel energy consumption and renewable energy consumption, using a balanced panel dataset of 27 European Union and 4 Central Asian countries over the period 1996-2020. As econometric tools, panel quantile and threshold regression models are employed. Overall, the quantile results document that women governance help to mitigate climate change both in European Union and Central Asia. Moreover, threshold findings suggest that women governance negatively impact on CO2 emissions in European Union and Central Asia when economic growth is higher than 9.903 percent. Policy implications are proposed to enhance women governance in European Union and Central Asia.

The Influence of Information Cooperation in Central Asia on the Interests and Foreign Policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Abstract This article examines how information cooperation influences Kazakhstan’s foreign policy. Through systematic analysis and comparison methods, this article identifies key trends and differences in information cooperation among Central Asian countries. Strengthening regional contacts and Kazakhstan’s engagement in international organizations emerge as pivotal outcomes of this interaction. Diplomatic services, regional initiatives, media projects, and cybercrime counteraction play essential roles in creating a modern information landscape in Kazakhstan. This research provides a foundation for future studies on information cooperation in Central Asia and its broader international implications.

Normative Power China: Why Kazakhstan is Ignoring the ‘Re-education’ Camps in Xinjiang

The issue of the Xinjiang re-education camps has not led to universal condemnation of China’s policies. In fact, some of the countries whose citizens are interned prefer not to press the issue at all. This has been the case of Kazakhstan, the largest Central Asian country neighbouring China. Using the concept of normative power China (NPC), this article examines via content analysis of speeches and interviews how and why the Kazakhstani government has followed the Chinese official position. The results suggest that China has been somewhat successful in exerting its normative influence amongst the Kazakhstani political elites.